Txt2Quit (New Zealand)

Description:

Txt2Quit is a program designed to help you quit smoking using text messages sent to your mobile phone. The program is based on the STOMP (stop smoking by mobile phone) program and is available to all New Zealand residents - although especially suited to 16-24 year olds. The program lasts in total for 26 weeks. For the first week or two leading up to your chosen 'Quit Day' you receive 1-2 messages per day focusing on preparation and planning. Then from your 'Quit Day' and for a period of 4 weeks, you receive 3 messages per day focusing on how to cope with cravings and practical and supportive advice during this particularly tough time. Finally, during the remaining 'maintenance stage' the messages reduce to 3 per week and focus on practical and supportive advice for maintaining quit status, including how to cope with triggers, cravings, slip-ups and relapse. You can also send text messages throughout the program to request extra support relating to cravings, slip-ups or relapse.

Service URL:

http://www.quit.org.nz/txt2quit/page/txt2quit_5.php

Agency Responsible:

Quitline, New Zealand (adapted from Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Auckland's development of STOMP).

Mobile Platform:

Other.

Details

Format:

Text/Video Messaging System.

Intervention Types:

Educational (primarily educational material or psychoeducation) and Psychological – CBT. The program also uses relaxation techniques

Course Structure:

Structured Course.

Course Length:

Long (more than 5 modules). You receive 1-2 text messages per day before you quit, 3 per day for the first 4 weeks after you quit, and then 3 per week for the remaining 20 weeks of the program

Support Option:

Automated only. Users can send text messages to request additional support relating to cravings, slip-ups or relapses.

Target Audience

Primary Category:

Smoking.

Target Audience:

Young Adult.

Language:

English.

Access

Mobile platforms:

Other:

Multi-platform (The program uses a text messaging system)

Fee:

Free.

Access:

Open: With registration. The program is ONLY open to New Zealand residents

Contact Details:

Via an online registration form on the website:

http://www.quit.org.nz/txt2quit/

 

Research evidence

Research Trials:

1

Research RCTs:

1

Outcome Summary:

Txt2Quit is a modifed version of the originally developed STOMP program. The effectiveness of STOMP was tested in one randomised control trial. In this study a large sample of 1705 New Zealand residents were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or control group. Participants in the intervention group received intensive text messages prior to their quit day and for 4 weeks after, and then a reduced number of 3 per week for a period of 6 months. The control group only received 1 message every 2 weeks for the 6 month period (and the message only related to details of the study). The results of the study suggested the program was effective, with significantly more participants in the intervention group who had quit smoking after 6 weeks compared to the control group - and reported quit rates remained high after 6 months. Therefore, there is evidence that such a text-message based mobile program is an effective means to help smoking cessation.

Recommended rating, reviewer 1:

Recommended rating, reviewer 2:

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Research paper citations

Evidence evaluation studies:
Rodgers, A., Corbett, T., Bramley, D., Riddell, T., Wills, M., Lin, R-B., Jones, M. (2005) Do u smoke after txt? Results of a randomised trial of smoking cessation using mobile phone text messaging. Tobacco Control, 14: 255-261.

Additional references:
Milne, K., Bowler, S., Li, J., Salmon, P. (2009) Evaluation of the first year of the Txt2Quit service 17 June 2008 - 16 June 2009. Quitline. Ministry of Health, New Zealand.